Dallas, TX
Palladium Ballroom
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Invitro, Diecast, Red, Sevendust
“Invitro is fucking insane!” I believe that’s the text message I sent to every number in my call-list before Invitro’s opening song was complete.
I caught a glimpse of the guys before they stepped to the front of the stage. Apparently I wasn’t the only one, because the 16 and 17 year old girls standing beside me collectively said, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Then, the lights went out. When they came back up, Invitro was on stage. I heard a few chuckles from the crowd when we saw the five of them, wearing matching white lab-coats and aluminum foil masks. I heard others give a Texas-sized “Hell yeah!” We knew we were in for a show of shows. Invitro is what some, these days, would call a Screamo band, which is a title that warrants no further explanation. I would label them as a Metal band that knows how to have a good time. They are, by far, one of the better opening bands I’ve seen. Front man, Jeff Weber, took the crowd by way of strong vocal talent throughout each song, encouraging the inevitable mosh-pit. My text message proved accurate, but in a good way. After all, it does take a certain amount of insanity to start a rock show.
Diecast was a Heavy Metal force to be reckoned with. More than half the wait between Invitro and Diecast was to set up Dennis Pavia’s double bass drum trap-set, which he played ferociously. Lead singer, Paul Stoddard, is a big guy with an even bigger voice. In the middle of their set, they covered “Highway to the Danger Zone,” from the Top Gun soundtrack, which may sound a little cheesy to you. If that’s the case, you weren’t at the same show as I. Diecast proved that they could do just about anything at that point. After their set, Paul jumped off the stage and gave everyone in the front row a high-five or handshake, pulling some in for a sweaty, but macho hug.
Needless to say, the majority of the crowd Saturday night was there for Sevendust. I was no different, but I had listened to a few of the next band’s songs before the show, and was a little excited to hear them live. Every member of Red literally jumped onto stage when their lights came up. Each of them looked as if they had just arrived, straight from the gym….for the thousandth time. Physical fitness is a good thing when it comes to performing live. Not that I’m an expert, but I know the energy Red was able to put into their set was not derived from sitting on a couch. Mike Barnes has an unbelievably smooth voice and hit every note with the perfection of someone who knows that practice is key. His scream wasn’t too bad either. Randy Armstrong, on bass, offered his voice for exceptional harmony on more than one occasion. Anthony Armstrong, Randy‘s identical twin and fellow back-up singer, played a few fast paced riffs, managing to spin his guitar around his body and catch it, never missing a single beat. Before I go any further, I have to mention that Red is, technically, a Christian-based rock band. (Keep this in mind: So is Flyleaf, and Lajon Witherspoon from Sevendust’s take on his own band’s title is that 7 is a holy number and we are all made from dust.) If I were you, I’d listen for Red on your local rock radio station. If you don’t hear them, by all means, call and make the request. Their new release is called Breath Into Me, and if you like good, new rock music, you’ll love this song.
Sevendust. Do I even need to write a review of Sevendust? Those that know me, know that I can’t pass up a chance to brag on a concert I’ve attended, so here we go. There are a few concerts that I’ve given the title, Best Concert Ever, without regard for the actual definition of “best.” This was one of those shows. Sevendust, aside from their obvious talent, is a band that comes across as friendly. By this, I mean, they make you feel welcome at their show. Some bands with the same rock star status as Sevendust can give the impression that they don’t care how much you paid for your ticket or if you’re even there. They’ve “made it” and that’s all that counts. Not Sevendust. From the moment Lajon Witherspoon walked onstage until he left, each of us, in the Dallas crowd, could feel the sincere appreciation he held for his fans’ support. I should correct that last sentence. Lajon said, “Sevendust doesn’t have fans in Dallas. We have friends.” How true that is, and to be able to hear the set-list they performed live Saturday night, makes the remark feel that much better. Sevendust played a few of their older songs, as well as some from their new album, Alpha, which hit’s the shelves today, (3/6/07) so go buy it. Judging by the live performances of a couple of new songs, it will be well worth your time and money.
Micah Hargrave
